Here's a wonderful article I found on the web about DHP and his participation in his hometown Alzheimer's Memory Walk -
In the shadow of Alzheimer's
ANNE ORGREN , The Saratogian 09/14/2003
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- A former SPAC security guard, Yaddo medalist and Bethesda Episcopal Church organist returns to his native Spa City on Saturday, Sept. 20.
David Hyde Pierce, the Emmy Award-winning actor best known as 'Niles' on the popular NBC television show 'Frasier,' is leading the Alzheimer's Association of Northeastern New York's 2003 Memory Walk at Saratoga Race Course. Also walking are Channel 13 news anchor Benita Zahn and PYX106 radio personality Bob Wolf.
Pierce, whose grandfather and father both suffered from Alzheimer's, is committed to the fight against the disease. He is on the board of directors of the national Alzheimer's Association, and has testified before Congress to urge an increase in funding for medical research into Alzheimer's disease.
Pierce has participated in Memory Walks for several years, mainly in Los Angeles, and has been an honorary chairman of the national Memory Walk program since 1997.
However, this is just Pierce's second Memory Walk in his hometown. He led the Saratoga Springs walk in 2001. In 2002, he was unable to participate because of an injury, but sent a video saying that he was here in spirit.
This year, Pierce plans to be here in body -- which is fortunate, because he will have the chance to eat his favorite flavor of ice cream.
Stewart's Shops will be serving free ice cream at the Memory Walk, including chocolate peanut butter cup -- Pierce's favorite flavor, according to the local Alzheimer's Association chapter.
Stewart's also invites its customers to make donations to the Memory Walk at its five Saratoga Springs stores during the week of Sept. 15. All proceeds from this fund-raiser, up to $5,000, will be matched by Stewart's Shops.
Pierce needs to fly out of town -- literally -- on the day after the Memory Walk, to attend the 55th annual Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. He has been nominated for his fourth Emmy, for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series. The awards ceremony airs from 8 to 11 p.m. Sept. 21 on Fox.
As Pierce brushes off the dust of Saratoga Race Course for the red carpet at the Shrine Auditorium, locals will be rooting for their native son to take the podium as a winner.
<i>To sign up for the Sept. 20 Memory Walk at Saratoga Race Course, call 438-2217 or visit
www.alzneny.org.
